The highly anticipated return leg of the Asian Champions League quarter-finals between Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal lived up to its billing, marked by intense clashes and a heated altercation between two African football stars, Abderrazak Hamdallah and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Despite Al-Hilal’s 2-0 victory on Tuesday evening, courtesy of goals from Yasser Al-Shahrani and former Barcelona player Malcolm, securing their spot in the semi-finals with a 4-0 aggregate score, the match was far from straightforward for both teams.
The first leg had also ended with the same scoreline in favor of Al-Hilal.
Right from the start, tensions simmered as both teams fought fiercely to advance to the next round. Leading the front for Al-Ittihad was Moroccan international striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, renowned for his clinical finishing and fiery nature, while Al-Hilal’s defense, marshaled by the imposing Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly, proved formidable.
However, the encounter reached a boiling point in the dying moments of the match. In the 91st minute, with Al-Hilal leading 1-0, a heated altercation erupted between Hamdallah and Koulibaly, escalating into a physical confrontation.
The intervention of teammates was required to defuse the situation. Footage captured by SSC cameras vividly depicts the clash, culminating in Hamdallah receiving a red card for his loss of composure, leaving Al-Ittihad with a numerical disadvantage in the final moments.
While Al-Hilal’s qualification for the semi-finals was hardly surprising given their dominant performances across both legs, the Riyadh-based club now emerges as a strong contender for the Asian Champions League title.
As for Al-Ittihad and Hamdallah, the incident serves as a learning experience, urging them to regroup and refocus for the remainder of the season.
Currently sitting fourth in the Saudi Pro League with 40 points, Al-Ittihad trails Al-Hilal by a considerable margin, with the latter leading the league with 65 points.
The clash between Hamdallah and Koulibaly underscores the intensity and passion that characterizes top-tier football competitions, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in their rivalry.
